Coin-controlled mechanism



April 1, 193.0. c. w. NlxoN COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM Filed June 7. 192e 2 sheet'sv-sneez 1 April 1, 1930. c. w. Nixon 1,753,087

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANI SM Filed June 7. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J2' 63 10 6i f1 60 Patented Apr. l', 1930 UNITED STATES oLIFToN'W. Nixon, or V1vavv-vomi,iii. il.

coIN-coN'TRoLIJEn MEGHANISM Application `1ed .T une 7,

My present invention relates to coin-controlled mechanism, and the same has. for. its main object to provide an improved construction of this character for use in connection with vending machines, change-making machines and similar apparatus, and further to provide an improved construction `of this character for use generally in places and capacities where it is desirable to controlthe operation of a machine or apparatus through the mediumof adeposited coin.

An object of my invention is the provision Y.

of a coin-controlled mechanism in the form of a compact operative unit which will embody certain desired features of simplicity, efficiency and convenience, and which will be economical inmanufacture.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a coin-controlled mechanism of this character, constructed andv arrangedto eml body a coin-testing device for rejecting slugs and spurious coins.

Other objects of my invention are :to p rovide a coin-controlled mechanism including an operating shaft provided with one or more coin slots and so constructed and arranged that it is capable of `serving as the means by which directly to impart movement to or to actuate the machine or apparatus with which thecoin-controlled mechanism is associated; to provide a mechanism of this character including a coin-carrier having a coinseat and a pivoted element or slide, said mechanism further including locking means associated withthe coin-carrier and arranged to be released or unlocked by the pivoted element when a coin is lodged in the coin-seat; and to provide a mechanism of this .character in which the operating shaft and coin-carrier have an operative connection therebetween to cause the coin-carrier to move withthe operating shaft and to cause the operating shaft to be locked against -movement when the coin-carrier is locked by the locking means. v

With the foregoing objects and others in View, my invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement 'and combination of parts hereinafter. described 'and more particularly pointed out in the annexed 192e. serial No. 114,112.

claims, reference. being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which: Y

Fig. 1 represents aside elevational view showing a coin-controlled mechanism made in accordance with the present invention;

FigQ is a top plan view ofthe same; Fig. 3 is an-elevation of theoperative end of the mechanism, this view beingtalien on the line 3,-?) of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectiontaken on'the line lfof Fig-1; l

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6 -6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is ahorizontal.; section taken on the Aline 7 7 of Fig. 1; and

Fig.. y8 represents'a sectional detail taken on the line 8 8 ofFig. 1.

The preferred embodiment of my invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, comprises a frame structure composed of abase 9 from which rises a side wall 10 made with avertically extending upright or pillar 11 at the operating end of the device and with ya vertically extending upright or pillar 12 at the rear endof the device. The side wall 10, intermediate its length, has a portion 13 offset inwardly over the base forVv a` purpose hereinafter to be explained. uprights 11 Vand 12 are made respectively Vwith lateral portions14 and 15 whicheverhangthe base and in which anfoperating piece. `Said shaft 16 is provided with a suitable knob 17 whereby to be turned and to be The "so Y shaft 16 is mountedtohave'both reciprocating vand turning movement.v The parts so' far described may, if desired, be cast as one thrustin; and it is also provided in the present embodiment with two transverse coinslots 18 and18, which slots intersect each otherat tlie'center of the shaft. Arranged uponthe lateral portion 14 is a `coin-deposit chutey 19 suitably beveled downwardly and forwardly at 19f so that a coin as 20, when d restingupon the shaft 16, may protrude th'erefromias'shown inFig.

Arranged `upon the base 9 for reciprocating movement isa coincarrier'which lis composed of a backing slideQl and a pivotedl ico element or slide 22. The backing slide 2l has sliding contact with the inner face of the offset wall portion 13, its lower edge being slidably fitted in a groove 23 in the base and its upper edge being slidably fitted in a groove 24 provided in an overhanging horizontal bar 25 which is secured to the offset wall portion13. Saidbacking slide, at its rear end, has a laterally offset head 26 from which is suitably spaced the rear end of the slide 22 which is pivoted at 27 upon said backing slide 21. The head426 and confronting end of the slide 22 are suitably vertically slotted at 28 and 29 respectively, in order to provide a coin-seat, the `walljdefiningthe slot 29 being suitably curved at 30 in order V'bet'terto maintain the coinv in its seat'. The

pivoted slide 22 4has a lost motion movement lupon astud 31 fixed to the backing slide 21 and projecting through an opening 32 in said slide 22. Mounted for rocking movement teeth of one part of the rack-bar projecting Y1in-a directionopposite-to the inclination of the teeth in the other part thereof, the two sets of Voppositely inclined teeth being separated by an upwardly projecting cam-like The forward pawl-point "or portion 36 is l adapted to slide from and to an elevated positionon the landing 35 and also to interlock with tl-'ie'r'earwardly directed rack-teeth 37.

Upon a stud 39, projecting from the backing *slide 21, a spring 38 is looped and secured so as to have' a-short arm 40 exerting downward pressure upon a pin 41 on the pivoted slide 22, and a .long arm 42 exerting downward pressure upon a pin 43 projecting from the rear-v -V'ward pawl-pointY or *portion 44, which is 'Y adapted to interlock with the forwardly di- '40l upon :the pin 41 and hence upon that por- Y in excess of lthe'forceexerted by the arm 42 '5 "uponv the pin 43. 1 This insures to the pawl a o 00 Vrectedrack-teeth 45. The pin 41 by Awhich Ithe forward portion of-:the slide 22 is sup- Vported upon the forward portion of the pawl `-constitu'ting .the pawl-point 36,` isfso situated that when the pawl-point 36 rests at a predetermined elevation or seat on the cam-like v landing k35as shown in Fig. 1, the said'slide 22 will be maintained in such'positilon relatively i 'Now the arms 40 and 42 arev so shaped and arranged that the force exerted by the arm tifon of the pawl constituting pawl-point 36 is :tendency Aat all times to swing into that position in which the pawl-point 36 will interlock with the'rack-teeth 37 except when there is a coin lodged in the coin-seat,in which case the force of the spring arm 40 cannot inlhfluence the swinging Vof, the pawl l because retiring movement thereof since the pawlpoint 44 willbe raised clear of the rack-teeth 45 Vwhen the pawl has been swung into that position where the pawl-point 36 is interlocked with one` of the rack-teeth ,37.

When the coin-carrier is advanced with a 'c oin reposing in the coin-seat the slide 22 is held by such coin against downward pivoting,

*and since under this conditionthe arm 40 has 'nolntluence upon the pawl the arm 42 becomes eifectiveto maintain the pawl in that position where thepawl-point36 will escape interlocking action with .the rack-teeth 37 *while the pawl-point l44will click over the rack-teeth 45. During fthe time a coin is lodged in Vthe Vcoin-seat, the' coinecarrier cannot be retired since the pawl-point 44 will in- VYterlock with one of therack-teeth 45'. Means for lifting up the forward portion of the slide '22 so that the sustainedcoin will be released to fall from its coin-seat consists inproviding lsaid slide with a projecting pin 46 arranged to engage and slide upwardly upon the high point of the cam-like landing 35 at the terminationY of Vthe advancingstroke of the coincarrier. Y

The coin-carrier is'operatively connected with the operating shaftto be reciprocated therewith'by means of a connecting bar 47 which is mounted intermediate its length upon a stud 48 fixed to the rear upright 12. The lower end of bar 47 has a pin49 which works in a slot 50 inthe backing slide 21, while the l.upper end of said bar has a Cain-like pin 51 extending into the circumferential groove 43 in the operating shaft-16 and adapted to be V'engaged by a suitable shoulderor abutment as 52 fordetermining the extent of turning movement of saidf'shaft;` By this arrangement the coin-carrier will be moved forward whenthe operating shaft is thrust in; and conversely the coin-carrier will be retired when the operating shaft is thrust out, an operation which is accomplished by a `repositioning springy 54 connected for the purpose, between the upright 14 and pin 51 on the connecting rod 47. In this connection it may be remarked that the coin-depositchute 19 affords a convenient linger-hold when thrusting the operating shaft which is accomplished ,Y by pressing the palm of the hand on the knob 17 whileengaging a finger over the chute 19.

By turning the knob 17, either coin-slot 1'8 or 1,8 may be brought into registerwitln the coin-chute 19 so thatA the deposited coin le20 will fall through the shaftfand intoan underneath chute 55. It shouldrbe `notedhere that the coin-slots `18 and 18 are sized to the particular denominationofcoin which is to be employed in Operating the machine; that is to say, said coin-slots are made just. large enough to permit the'particular denomination of coin to fall therethrough so that a slug or a spurious coin having either a diameter or thickness slightly greater than va genuine coin cannot be passed through said coin-slots into chute 55. I, j

From the underneath chute 55, the coin rolls into a balanced chute 56 provided at its forward end with oppositely projecting'ears 57, each terminating ina pivot pin 58 suitably journaled in a U-s'haped member 59 secured upon the horizontal bar 25. Projecting forwardly from the ears 57 so as to be located on opposite sides of the underneath chute Vare weights 60 for balancing the chute, one of the weights being adjustable on an aXis s0 as to suitably vary the adjustment of the chtite. Said chute is balanced and adjusted to incline downwardly for the delivery of its Coin into a lead-in chute 61 through which the coin falls for lodgment inthe coin-seat of the coincarrier. The coin-chute is so balanced that when a normal coin runs downwardly thereon, it will sink to a position to register' a rear bottom lip 62 with; the top edge of the lead-in chute so that the rolling coin guided by a side flange 63 on the chute will roll directlyinto he lead-in chute whose mouth is suitably beveled and surrounded at the rear lby a flange 64. Supported upon the horizontal bar 25 is a switch-arm 65 provided with a finger 66 which curves laterally over the flange?) of the chute and also over the line of the mouth of the lead-in chute as best illustrated in Fig. 6. V'Vhen a normal coin rolls down the balanced chute, it rolls under the switch-finger since the chute sinks sufiiciently for this purpose but if the rolling coinwproves to be lighter than a normal coin the chute will not sink sufficiently to bring the coin below the linger with the result that the finger will divert the coin into a by-pass chute 67 which drops the coin through a slot 68 in the base. Referring to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the bottom-lip 62 curves laterally toclear the curving side 69 of the lead-in chute. Now if the rolling coin proves to be a trifle hea-vier than a normal coin, the balanced chute will be sunk to alevel in which the curved wall 69 will intercept the rolling coin and serve as a switch by which to roll it over the lip 62 and into the by-pass chute67. Thus it will be seen that the balanced chute will function to bringa too-light coin into engagement with the lswitch-finger and Iwill also function to bring a too-heavy j j e j I .through which to efectfthe delivery of Aa l.

coininto engagementwith the curved wall of the lead-in chute, whereby `either 'a too-light ein teo-heavy both 'vi/r11 be ivaedfinto the by-pass chute.

c When there is no coin in the'coin-seat of the coin-carrier, the locking means associated with vthe carrier` automatically functions to prevent advancing movement of the carrier with lthe result that the operating shaft cannot be thrustin. When, however, a deposited j coin has successfully passed the tests to which it is subjected by the balanced chute and is lodged in the coin-seat, the pawl of the locking mechanism, iniiuenced only by the spring arm 42, is held so that the point 36 clears the rack-teeth 37 to allow the thrust-in movement of the operating shaft and the consequent iadf results in the release of the coin which drops through the slots 68 in the base andfthence into a cash box (not shown). The coin having been released, the spring arm 40 thereupon functions to reverse the position of the pawl lifting the pawl-point 44 from the rackteeth 45 so that the spring 54 can v4re'posi'tioin the operating lever and cause the retirement of the coin-carrier for the next operation.

A stop-pin 70 which projects from the rear upright 12 in position to engage the'connecting bar 47, serves as the means for limiting the retiring movement of the coin-carrier at c the exact point where the coin may fall from the lead-in chute 61 int-o the coin-seat-of vthe coin-carrier.

Arranged at the frontend of the device upon a bracket 71 depending from Atlie'horizontal bar 25 is a suitable register 72 lhaving an operating arm 7 3 which is connected through a link '74.'with the pawlsupportingstud 31. By this arrangement register 72 is, operated to record a sale each time the coincarrier is advanced. l l y The present coin-controlled mechanism may be utilized in a machine having facilities for vending twov different classes orkinds vof goods selling for the same price.l To this end the operating shaft 16 may be equipped rwith a suitable arm 75 with which a suitable'index and dial (not shown) may be associated fory operation to indicate the two classes or kinds of goods on sale. The thrust-in movement of the operating shaft 16 may be used to effect the operation of the machinewithwhich the present device is associated. To this end, the operating shaft is equipped witha fixed-pin 76 which may be engaged eitherwith a Contact leverj or a contact lever 7 8 accordingly as the operating shaft is turned. Thesaid'co'ntact levers 77 and 7 8 mayrepresentfthe means choice of two kinds of merchandise.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my objectsinto effect, this is 'capable of varial tion and modification without departure from myself of such variation and modification as come within the scope of the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what Y I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Coin-controlled mechanism including an operating shaft having a coin passageway; a coin-carrier having a coin-seat; a chute for conducting the coinfrom said passageway to said coin-seat; locking means for the coincarrier arranged to be controlled thereby and I* to be held in released position upon the lodgment of a coin in said coin-seat; and an operative connection between said operating shaft and said carrier.

Y 4 2. Coin-controlled mechanism including twoslides jointly comprising means adapted topsustaina coin, one of said slides being pivoted to the other; means for reciprocating said slides and locking means associated with said slides by which automatically to lock them against movement7 said pivoted slide being adapted through the engagement therewith of a sustained coin to prevent said lockingrmeans from assuming a locking position. 3. Coinfcontrolled mechanism including two movable slides and means for moving them, said slides jointly comprising meansl for t-he lodgment of a coin, one of said slides losing pivoted tothe other and adapted to be sustained by a lodged coin against pivoting movement; a pawl normally arranged to be vswung by the pivoting movement of said pivoted slide; a rack adapted to be engaged by said pawl for holding said slides against Y movement; and means impelling the pivoting movement of said pivoted slide to provide for theengagement of said pawl with said rack when said pivoted slide is unsustained by a coin. i l

4; Coin-controlled mechanism including an operating shaft; a coin-carrier having opera-V tive connection .with said shaft; a coin-en .gagingslide pivoted to said coin-carrier and :tensioned to normally swing in one direction;

Y' and pawl-and rack mechanism adapted for engagement to prevent theoperation of said Y coin-carrier, said pawl being arranged to provide support for said tensioned slide and' to be moved thereby into engagement with said rack. 45. 'Coin-controlled mechanism including an operating shaft; a coin-carrier having operative connection with said shaft; a coin-en- 1 gaging slide pivoted to said coin-carrier and adapted to be` sustained against. downward movement by an engaged coin; pawl and rack mechanism adapted for engagement to prevent the operation of said coin-carrier, said pawl being pivoted to `said coin-carrier and constituting a support to limitthe downward movement of said slide; and spring means forcing said slide andpawl into impingement and arranged to cause 'said pawl to engage its rack when said slide `is not sustained by a coin and further to cause said pawl to escape said rack when saidslide is sustained by a coin. Y

`6. Coinecontrolled mechanism including an operating shaft; a coin-carrier having operative connection with said shaft al coin-engaging slide pivoted to said coin-carrier and Vadapted to'b'e sustained against downward movement by an engaged coin; pawl and rack mechanism adapted for engagementto prevent the operationof said coin-carrier, said pawl being pivoted to said coin-carrier and constitutinga support to limit the downward movement of saidslide; a cam landing adjoining said rack for positioning said pawl and slide; and spring means forcing said slide and pawl into impingement and arranged to cause said pawl to engage its rack whensaid slide is unsustained by a coin and further to cause said pawl to escape said rack when 'said slide is sustained by a coin.

7. In a coin-controlled mechanism7 the combination with a base and an operating element, of a coin-carrier s'lidable along said base and connected witli'said operating element to be operated thereby; a coin-engaging slide pivoted to said coinfcarrier and adapted to be sustained by an engaged coin; and pawl and rack mechanism between said coin-carrier and base adapted for engagement to prevent the operation of said coin-carrier, said mechanism being arranged to be controlled by said slide and to be held out of engagement-when said slide is sustained by an engaged c oin`.

8. In a coin-controlled mechanism, the combination with a rack, of a movable coincarrier; a coin-engaging slide pivoted to said coin-carrier and adapted to be sustained by an engaged coin; a pawl carried by said coincarrier and adapted to be engaged with said rack to prevent the operation of said coincarrier; and spring means acting on said slide and pawl to force them into iinpinging relation, said spring means being arranged to Vcause said slide, when unsustained by a coin,

pawl into engagement with said vtained by an engaged coin; a pawl carried by said coin-carrier and adapted to be engaged with said rack to prevent the operation of said coin-carrier, said pawl being arranged to constitute a support for said slide to be controlled thereby. and to be held out of engagement with said rack when said slide is sustained by an engaged coin and said pawl being further arranged for cooperation with said cam landing to adjust said slide to a position in which it can be engaged and sustained by a coin.

10. In a coin-controlled mechanism, a coincarrier and means for moving it, said coincarrier having a coin-seat and provided with a pivoted element arranged tok be sustained against pivoting movement in one direction by a coin lodged in said coin-seat; locking means for the coin-carrier arranged to be controlled by the pivoting movement of said pivoted element and to be held in released position when said pivoted element is sustained by a lodged coin; and means for tripping said pivoted element in the opposite -direction to free the lodged coin.

11. In combination, a coin-carrier mounted for advancing and retiring movement and including a coin-seat and a pivoted element arranged to be sustained by a coin lodged in said coin-seat; means for advancing and retiring said coin-carrier; a two-part pawl constituting a support for said pivoted element until the latter is sustained by a lodged coin; a two-part rack for said pawl; and a spring element associated with said coin-carrier, pivoted elem-ent and pawl to normally maintain said pawl in position with respect to said rack to allow advancing movement'and to prevent retiring movement, of said coin-carrier when said pivoted element is sustained by a coin.

12. In combination, a coin-carrier mounted for advancing and retiring movement and including a coin-seat and a pivoted element arranged to be sustained by a coin lodged in said coin-seat; means for advancing and retiring said coin-carrier; a two-part pawl and a cooperating two-part rack, said pawl constituting a support for said pivoted element until the latter is sustained by a lodged coin; spring means associated with said coin-carrier, pivoted element and pawl to maintain said pawl in position with respect to said rack to allow advancing but not retiring, movement of said coin-carrier when said pivoted element is sustained by a coin, and further to operate said pivoted element to prevent advancing but not retiring, movement of said coin-carrier when said pivoted element is supported by said pawl.

13. In a coin-controlled mechanism, the combination with a coin-carrier, of operating means adapted to admit a coin in either one of two positions for passage to said coin-carrier, said operating means comprising a shaft mounted to have both reciprocating and rotary movement and having intersecting coinslots leading transversely through it from opposite points of its circumference; and connecting means between said shaft and coincarrier adapted to receive and transmlt only the reciprocating movement of the former to the latter. Y

14. In a coin-controlled mechanism, the

combination with a coin-carrier, of operating means. adapted to admit a coin in either one of two positions for passage to sai-d coin-carrier, said operating means comprising a shaft mounted to have both reciprocating movement and rotary movement and having intersecting coin-slots leading transversely through it from opposite points of its circumference; and an operative connectionbetween said shaft and said coin-carrier comprisinga fulcrumed bar having one end thereof `piv. oted to said coin-carrier, and a pin on the other' end of sai-d bar engaging a circumferential groove in said shaft.

I In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

CLIFTON W. NIXON. 

